With the wind we experienced last week, most of the deciduous trees lost their leaves. However there are some oaks and young beech trees that will hang onto their leaves for a while.

When the trees are bare their symmetrical forms can be seen. Mary Alice has always told me that the true beauty of a tree can be seen when the tree has lost its leaves.

There have been many poems written about trees. Possibly, the most famous of these poems was “Trees” written by Joyce Kilmer.

Although history states that Kilmer’s poem was not inspired by any specific tree, the story has been told through the years that Kilmer wrote the poem about a particular large white oak near his home in Mahwah, New Jersey. This tree, which was estimated to be over 300 years old, was so weakened by age and disease that it had to be removed in 1963.

Currently, saplings from acorns of this historic tree are being grown at the site and throughout the county area.

When World War I broke out Kilmer volunteered for duty and was sent to France. He became a sergeant in the 165th Infantry Regiment and was recommended for commission as an officer, which he refused. He sought the most hazardous duties and volunteered to lead a scouting party to find the position of a German machine gun.

As he was peering over a hill a bullet struck him in the head and he died instantly. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) by the French Republic and is buried near the field of battle a few miles from Seringes on the River Ourcq. Hopefully, the French Government planted a tree in his honor.

A tree is very complex, constructed of chemicals, cells and tissue, and put together in an elaborate fashion. When Kilmer wrote that “Only God can make a tree” he was surely correct.

At some point when walking through the forests and national parks of North America, you are likely to come across a version of the “Prayer of the Woods.” Usually, this is carved on a plaque at the entrance to a forest trail.

The prayer takes the form of a short poem presented as an anonymous work. While the poem’s most common title is “Prayer of the Woods,” it does not have a religious origin.

The work is translated from an older work originally written in Portuguese and first carved in wood in the gardens surrounding the beautiful Castelo de Sao Jorge in Lisbon.

“Ye who pass by listen to my prayer for I am:

The heat of your hearth

The shade from the sun

And fruit for thirst

The beam of your house

Boards of your table

And the mast of a boat.

The handle of your hoe,

The peace in your cradle

And the door to your home.

The source of your kindness

And the flower of beauty

Ye who pass by, listen to my prayer

Harm me not.”

Almost 60% of Pennsylvania is forested and the following show the percentage of forested lands: United States 34%; the former Soviet Union 51%; Canada 45%: Australi, 6% and Syria 2.5%. These world forests not only produce over 12 billion tons of wood each year, but also produce or help to produce the necessities of oxygen and rain.

Roughly, half of a tree consists of cellulose. Pure cellulose, extracted chemically from wood chips, is the most important substance obtained from wood, and from this, we make rayon, cellophane and clothing. This information prompted John Ernsley, a chemist, to write that five trees properly processed could clothe one human for a lifetime.

In 1870 modified cellulose went into making false teeth, however this was not successful since the teeth were highly flammable, and tended to burst into flame while being worn in the mouth. This occurred mostly in smokers.

Today, modified cellulose is used in steering wheels, eyeglasses, ping pong balls, screwdriver handles and many other items too numerous to mention. Today chemists are trying to develop a 10 cellulose base equivalent to nylon and plastic, which now comes from Arabian oil.

Of all the things that trees provide, the best just might be that of renewing our souls. Many years ago, while visiting our daughter’s family, Mary Alice and I took our grandchildren to the Safe Harbor Waterpower Park. The park had the usual tennis court, playground equipment and picnic pavilion, however the park also had a path that went through a wooded area.

Along this path were small plaques marking the names of the trees. We even saw one of the largest chestnut trees that I had ever seen. I examined several burrs that were scattered at the base of the tree but did not find any developed nuts inside. Along the path was a sign that was quite fitting:

“Forests are made for weary men,

That they may find their soul again.

And little leaves are hung on trees

To whisper of old memories.

The trails with cedar shadows black

Are place there just to lead men back

Past all the pitfalls of success.

To boyhood’s faith and happiness.

Far from the city’s craft and fraud.

A forest leads us back to God.”

Bill Bower is a retired Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Officer. Read his blog and listen to his podcasts on the outdoors at www.onemaningreen.com.